Principal Mechanisms Manufacturing Engineer

The role

You will lead DFX reviews and develop manufacturing systems for spacecraft mechanisms. You will design build flows, create custom tools, and provide guidance on the manufacturability of mechanisms, machined components, and assemblies.

What you will do

• Lead DFX reviews with the Mechanisms Engineering team
• Lead the development of innovative manufacturing systems for spacecraft mechanisms
• Set manufacturing policy, standards, and best practices
• Plan manufacturing strategy, tooling, and capacity investments
• Research and pilot new assembly methodologies and automation technologies
• Create custom tools, automation, and processes including MES software
• Demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes
• Build test articles and support development and qualification test campaigns
• Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate for efficient production
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, technicians, and design peers

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
• Demonstrated track record of leading product development and/or process improvement initiatives
• Strong understanding of mechanisms-specific industry standards such as NASA-STD-5017 and AIAA S-114
• Familiarity with environmental qualification standards SMC-S-016 and GSFC-STD-7000
• Strong understanding of how to set up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds and transitioning from low to high-rate manufacturing
• Deep understanding of mechanisms subassembly manufacturing technologies
• Strong understanding of design-for-excellence (DFX) principles
• Strong understanding of GD&T and mechanical assembly drawings
• Demonstrated ability to set manufacturing policy and mitigate manufacturing risk
• Experience developing or deploying tools, automation, or software that scale manufacturing engineering efficiency

Nice to have

• Familiarity with precision bearing standards (e.g., ABMA) and bearing preload techniques and measurement
• Experience designing tooling for mechanisms and electromechanical subassemblies
• Some experience with wire harness manufacturing and integration
• Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up
• Experience working closely with technicians and build tooling
• Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as lubrication practices, torque specifications, and quality assurance standards
• Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent)
• Familiarity with data analytics tools (e.g., Python, SQL) or automation platforms
• Experience working with MES to set up procedure creation and documenting non-conformances

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Many other perks

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license

About the company

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown. They are mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space.